Slangtastic
You wouldn't expect to run into so many confused or awkward moments when you share a language with someone else...but having had one too many red-faced, deer-in-the-headlights moments of uncertainty (the foreigner can all too suddenly find themselves unintentionally swimming in another society's innuendo or political incorrectness) I figured I should try to capture a list of some of the words and
expressions I've become acquainted with here. I would like to apologize to the people of Britain for the many times that you've just been your normal selves and I just stared back at you like this:
Carry on, I'm just an American.
Craic/Crack - Situation, news, fun times. "What's the craic this weekend?" No, the speaker is probably not referring to illegal substances.
Saffer - South African.
Nesh - Describes cold weather or someone who is over-sensitive to the cold.
"Y'alright?" - This isn't really a question, and they're not really expecting an answer. Just fling a "Y'alright?" back at them and keep walking. The best is when, before you've even opened your mouth to "ask," the other person just goes, "Yeah, good, yeah, thanks!"
Chuffed - Pleased, extremely delighted.
"Cor!" - Exclamation of surprise.
Yummy mummy - A young, attractive mother. Probably has a stroller (pram) like a spaceship and wears four-inch heels to the grocery store.
Knackered - Exhausted, worn out.
Bits and bobs - Miscellaneous items, this and that.
Daft - Silly, foolish.
"Ta!" - "Thanks!" This one annoys me. That's all.
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| HUH? |
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Craic/Crack - Situation, news, fun times. "What's the craic this weekend?" No, the speaker is probably not referring to illegal substances.
Saffer - South African.
Nesh - Describes cold weather or someone who is over-sensitive to the cold.
"Y'alright?" - This isn't really a question, and they're not really expecting an answer. Just fling a "Y'alright?" back at them and keep walking. The best is when, before you've even opened your mouth to "ask," the other person just goes, "Yeah, good, yeah, thanks!"
Chuffed - Pleased, extremely delighted.
"Cor!" - Exclamation of surprise.
Yummy mummy - A young, attractive mother. Probably has a stroller (pram) like a spaceship and wears four-inch heels to the grocery store.
Knackered - Exhausted, worn out.
Bits and bobs - Miscellaneous items, this and that.
Daft - Silly, foolish.
"Ta!" - "Thanks!" This one annoys me. That's all.
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